When it comes to coloring hair I can say I’m one of the many that had a pretty traumatic experience. It was a bleach gone wrong kind of experience…I’m talking about 8 inches of hair falling out in the shower and sudden new found 2-inch bangs kind of trauma. All of a sudden I had 4 layers of stringy blonde hair that will break at a gentle pull. I know it’s kind of dramatic and its just hair but I couldn’t help it. I must have cried for days every time I looked in the mirror.

After many years trying to nurture my hair back to life with every product on the market, I always, always go to a professional, but this weekend I felt impulsive and picked up a hair dye from a local store. A girl just never learn I guess (lol). Even though I love my ombre hair, I just kind of grew tired of it so decided to go dark for winter. Well, luckily no trauma or accident this time (whew) and I love the fresh new darker shade of black with hints of leftover brown.

P.S. I have many asked before what I used to curl my hair: I used Caruso’s steam rollers which is amazing because it’s less damaging and is the best tool I’ve used for long-lasting curls. :)

Maxi skirts are not only one of the most comfortable, flattering and favorite item in my closet, they are also so versatile! During the summer I love pairing them with tanks and crop tops. During the fall, I’ll style them with sweaters or jacket & scarf. What I really love about this particular maxi is, well other then the color is perfect for transitioning into fall, the leather waist trim & thigh high slit just gives it an extra something something.

I’m all about midi skirts lately. They are so sweet, elegant and can be styled in so many different ways. I made this in three of my favorite colors (blue, green and fuchsia) but this color and styling is probably my favorite of the bunch, a close tie to the blue and the green I think…I just can’t decide!! Which color is your favorite?

I really respect brands that carry a variety of sizes. ASOS for example carries regular sizes as well as sizes for the ladies with Curves and sizes for the Petite ladies! Everyone’s body is unique and I appreciate the options so I can find the perfect fit.

Tip: for a backless dress like this, I normally like to wear my sticky bra cups from NuBra. These bras comes in sizes A, B and C. I prefer the cloth over the silicon ones because it’s lightweight and stays attached, the silicon stickies can be heavy and uncomfortable. If you’re a D cup or bigger, I recommend these backless bras with under-wire from Nordstrom for the extra support.

I met someone over the weekend when I was in New York that had me really intrigued. Candice, an overwhelmingly sweet and innocent girl who just moved to the big apple. A new town filled with strangers to start a temporarily new life in hope of searching for a “new version” of herself…or at least that’s what she was told to do by someone who loves her.

Candice and I spoke for hours like we have known each other for years. After I told her I have a personal style blog that I would like to shift into lifestyle-meets-fashion, she insisted that I share her story. I was a little hesitant at first but maybe, just maybe others’ stories who’s unbiased can help empowered and lift her spirit and maybe help her in some way. That’s all I’m hoping for. Here goes…

Candice was laid off a little under a year ago and has not been having much luck finding a new job. She has a successful boyfriend name Richard who she’s been with for 4 years (living together for 2) and has plans on buying a new home together. Recently Richard decided to move to LA to focus on his career with a new business partner without first talking to Candice. When Candice found out, she thought she was going to come to LA as well. However, Richard insisted that she should move to New York so that she can independently grow as a person and thus become a “better girlfriend” and “future wife.” While Candice thought the idea was a bit irrational, she thinks that NY may be good for her to grow as a person so she agreed, with hopes that Richard will eventually come to NY to be with her.

To Candice’s surprise, Richard has no intentions on moving to NY and insisted that she move back to their current city of residence after a year or so. You see, after she told me her story, I wanted to automatically assumed Richard was a dick (pun-intended), but I know not all relationships are black and white, so maybe he deserve the benefit of doubt.

I understand that people grow and evolve throughout life. Sometimes we change enough where the relationships we have are outgrown or simply do not fit into the vision of our future. Like the dress that once fit us so perfectly, our relationships sometimes become “too small” or “out of style.” Just like a valuable relationship, should we throw out a beloved dress or find a way to make it work? Could this be Richard’s way of making their relationship work? Or is he actually throwing away a valuable thing without even realizing it?

I know not all relationship are the same and we can’t always judge something by the cover, but after digesting this issue some more and really trying to give Richard the benefit of doubt, I can’t help but feel like Richard is trying to mode and changed Candice into someone she’s not. Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic, but I like to believe that my love accepts me for me, flaws and all, and want to grow, learn and become better individuals together.

Do you think Richard is making a mistake by letting Candice go or is he genuinely trying to help hers & his relationship?